To maintain its position as the market leader in the routing, switching, and
high-speed connectivity business, Cisco offers its Cisco Career Certifications
programs, chief among them the CCIE credential. It also offers two additional
levels of networking credentials, two design credentials, an internetwork
credential, and a security credential for a total of seven separate
certifications. All Cisco certifications require advanced skills in supporting a
variety of networking topologies and technologies; as you climb the Cisco
certification ladder, these requirements grow increasingly complex and
demanding.

Alphabet Soup

Let's review Cisco's certification programs. After that,
you'll have a chance to investigate each of the tracks and each individual
certification in some detailincluding the elements that lead to each one.
Along the way, you'll be presented with a table that shows how the pieces
fit together and learn how to sign up for tests, track certification progress,
and so on.

At present, there are seven abbreviations related to Cisco certification.
They describe three certifications related to network or internetwork
operations, two certifications related to design, two certifications related to
networking or Internet infrastructure organizations (one certification appears
in two categories, in case you're counting), and one security
certification:

CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate)This is the
entry-level operational certification and is aimed at individuals who manage
simple routed LANs or WANs, small ISPs, or small switched LAN or LANE
environments. An applicant must pass one exam (640-607) for the Network
Installation and Support track.

CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional)This is a
middle-tier operational certification, aimed at individuals who install,
configure, operate, and troubleshoot complex routed LANs, switched LAN networks,
or remote access networks. An applicant must first obtain a CCNA and then take
either two or four additional exams, depending on which test option he or she
selects.

CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert)This is a top-tier
operational certification, aimed at individuals who have advanced technical
skills and knowledge and who must know how to configure networks for optimum
performance and understand how to maintain complex, far-flung, multivendor
networks. An applicant must pass only two tests for this certification: a
written exam and a laboratory evaluation. No prior certification from Cisco is
required to obtain a CCIE, but many individuals elect to obtain a CCNA and/or a
CCNP before attempting the CCIE. CCIE credentials are available for the Network
Installation and Support, Communications and Services, and Security
tracks.

CCDA (Cisco Certified Design Associate)This is the
entry-level design credential; it requires individuals to be able to design and
deploy simple routed and switched networks as well as configure, operate, and
maintain such networks. To obtain this certification, applicants must pass one
exam (640-441). This certification is available only for the Network Engineering
and Design track.

CCDP (Cisco Certified Design Professional)This is a
middle-tier design credential that requires individuals to be able to design and
deploy complex routed and switched networks that include LAN, WAN, and dial
access for larger installations. Individuals must also be able to configure,
operate, and maintain such networks and connections. To obtain this
certification, an applicant must first obtain CCNA and CCDA credentials and must
then pass two or four more exams, depending on which track he or she
selects.

CCSP (Cisco Certified Security Professional)This is a
middle-tier credential that requires individuals to design and deploy secure
Cisco networks, develop business solutions, and design and implement numerous
levels of security structures. To obtain this certification, an applicant must
first obtain the CCNA credential and must then pass five more exams.

CCIP (Cisco Certified Internetwork Professional)This
middle-tier certification has no explicit prerequisites, and it requires
individuals to operate and manage infrastructure or access solutions in a Cisco
networking environment. CCIP professionals have a broad understanding of
telecommunications technologies, including IP routing, IP multicast, cable, DSL,
and content networking or IP telephony topics. To qualify for CCIP
certification, a candidate must pass two required core exams and fulfill
requirements in one elective area (seven alternatives).

A CCNA credential can lead to an entry-level design credential (CCDA) or to
various Cisco Specialist certifications. The CCNA credential also leads to a
middle-tier network credential (CCNP or CCSP) if the candidate takes a few
additional tests. Likewise, both the CCNA and the CCDA lead to the CCDP. The
CCIP stands in the middle tier, and Cisco strongly recommends that candidates
obtain CCNA certification to help prepare. And although the CCIE has no explicit
prerequisites elsewhere in Cisco's ladder, it is clearly the ultimate Cisco
certification and is where many individuals who obtain other Cisco
certifications aim their highest aspirations.

This combination of programs creates a "certification ladder," as
shown in Figure 3.1.

All the exam-related information that applies to obtaining a Cisco
certification, plus some additional details about the exams, is summed up in
Table 3.1. Note that information about the cost and the time period is for each
exam for the certification, not for all exams for the certification.

Table 3.1 Cisco Certifications

Certification

Prerequisites

Required Exams

Cost

Time*

CCNA

None

1

$125

75 minutes

CCNP

CCNA

2/4**

$125$250

75135 minutes

CCIE

None

1 (written)

$300

120 minutes

1 (lab)

$1,250

2 days

CCDA

None

1

$125

120 minutes

CCDP

CCDA and CCNA

2/4**

$125$250

7590 minutes

CCSP

CCNA

5

$125

6075 minutes

CCIP

None

3/6

$125

7590 minutes

*Exams are computer generated, so the number of questions
varies; therefore, the time allotted to take the exams changes frequently. You
can verify these details prior to taking an exam by contacting Cisco at
800-829-6387.

**Information about Test Option 1/Test Option 2.

Details about specific test numbers for the various certifications are
covered later in this chapter.